Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

Living "La Dolce Vita" in Roma. Seriously. Past Review

By (Plan Ii, The University of Texas at Austin) - abroad from 06/14/2013 to 07/12/2013 with

Rome Institute of Liberal Arts: Rome - Direct Enrollment & Exchange

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned so much about myself, the American dream, the pace/values of American culture compared to Italian. It was very worthwhile. I'm already trying to make plans to go back to Italy for an entire semester.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 1 month - 6 months

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

Awesome, small, discussion-based classes! Sometimes the assigned reading was a little rough (I'm looking at you, Hegel), but even the long assignments brought all the students together.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

Awesome tutors!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Location: North of the Vatican, a little further away than I would like. Logistics: Small Kitchen, the roof flooded while we were away, choppy Wi-Fi The living situation didn't detract from the great experience, though.

* Food:

DELICIOUS! Even the stuff in the grocery store is so fresh--I would recommend cooking as a group a couple of nights a week!

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

I didn't know any Italian, so that may be why I didn't feel super integrated. I will say again though how much I loved my classmates even though I didn't make any actual Roman friends.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

I had a fever at one point and the "pharmacists" are super helpful.

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Rome is very expensive!

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $200
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Don't spend all your money on Gelato. I know you want to, but just don't. It really does add up.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language?

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Awesome Italian class with Italiaidea. Andrea was the bomb. Total immersion program.

How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? Latin Year 3
How many hours per day did you use the language?
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? It's cliche, but just don't be afraid to speak to Italians in Italian even though they'll try to switch to English. Don't be lazy!

Direct Enrollment/Exchange

* Did you study abroad through an exchange program or did you directly enroll in the foreign university? Direct Enrollment

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 0

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • The Students
  • The Culture of Rome
  • The Food
* What could be improved?
  • Living Arrangements
  • More Free time
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? More about what I wanted to go see/do in Rome and outside Rome on my own. I had more freedom than I anticipated, and because I didn't know what I wanted to do, I ended up just tagging along with other people.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Outright Urbanite
A social butterfly, you're happiest in bustling cities with hip people, and took advantage of all it had to offer. You enjoyed the nightlife, and had fun going out dancing, and socializing with friends. Fun-loving and dressed to the nines, you enjoyed discovering new restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars in your host country.